RANK #819 / 1001 NAT · #34 / 41 FL · POP 285,492
1YR FORECAST: -1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +14%
Alachua County, Florida, is distinguished by Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, a vast 21,000-acre savanna where wild horses and bison roam, a unique sight in Florida. Located in North Central Florida, the county seat, Gainesville, is approximately 70 miles southwest of Jacksonville. The community offers a blend of college-town energy, particularly in Gainesville, and a quieter, small-town atmosphere in places like Alachua and Micanopy. Commutes within the county are generally manageable, with options for bus service connecting towns to Gainesville. The county boasts numerous natural springs, parks, and trails, including San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, providing extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, and water activities.
Life in Alachua County appeals to a mix of residents, including young professionals, families, and retirees, many of whom own their homes. The public school system is highly rated, with some schools offering specialized magnet programs. The economy is driven by its educational and healthcare institutions, notably the University of Florida, alongside growing sectors like life sciences and biotechnology. Recent economic developments include investments in infrastructure and workforce training, particularly in eastern Alachua County, with a focus on attracting new businesses and creating jobs in energy and manufacturing.
Alachua County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices -1.2% YoY, population +1.3%, wages +3.5%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Alachua County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Ironwood Industrial Park
Undisclosed Developer
|
$140M | Proposed |
|
High Springs Renewable Energy Center
Duke Energy Florida
|
$75M | Completed |
|
Gilchrist County Solar
FRP Gilchrist County Solar, LLC
|
$74M | Operating |
|
G&C Foods Distribution Facility
G&C Foods
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Lane Enterprises Manufacturing Plant
Lane Enterprises
|
$35M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Alachua County scores just 18/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #819 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +1.3% and median household income of $61,949 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Alachua County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $288,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,339/month on average.
Alachua County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.3% clip. Home values shifted -1.2% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 7.88% of Alachua County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.